Difference between revisions of "Matcon"

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[[File:mc37_logo.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Secrets of the Old Kingdom]]
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[[File:mc39_logo.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Plundering the Overlord's Palace]]
'''Matcon 37''' <br>
+
'''Matcon 39''' <br>
''Summer 2018''
+
''Summer 2020''
  
It is 918 TA.  It is the 100th Year of Adventuring in the Third Age!
+
The Overlord is in trouble!
  
From Hylax's humble first foray into the [[Raid on the Accursed Tomb of the Zombie Lord|Tomb of Zombie Lord]] in 818 TA, it has been quite a journey for our [[Parties of the Third Age|adventurers]]!
+
The Palace is overrun by thieves stealing the treasures of the Old Kingdom.  The Masquerade, once the culmination of the social calendar, has been marred by unexplained events.  What twisting plots are afoot?  Worse, the Kingdom generals report defeats in both the north and south as plans to entrap the Reaches forces fails miserably.  The coffers are running dangerously low.  And now the Elven Ambassador is preaching the coming of a new menace from the seas.
  
Ten years have passed since the end of the [[Second War of the Reaches]] and the sealing of the [[Wolfshaunt]].  It has been a prosperous time for the Reaches.  Lurking just below the surface, however, sinister forces have been gathering strength.  Rumors persist of the [[Rembia|Old Kingdom]] preparing for an invasion.  Dark and strange beasts have been seen in the forests, hills and seas.  The key lies with the secrets of the Old Kingdom.  Sharpen your swords and dust off your spellbooks - it's Matcon time again
+
It is time for swift and sure action: a final solution to the problem of the Three Kings.  Sharpen your swords and dust off your spellbooks - it's Matcon time again.
  
 
[[Schedule of Events|'''Schedule of Events''']] <br>
 
[[Schedule of Events|'''Schedule of Events''']] <br>
 
[[Travel, Room and Board|'''Travel, Room and Board''']] <br>
 
[[Travel, Room and Board|'''Travel, Room and Board''']] <br>
  
== Dungeons & Dragons:  The Family Pact ==
+
== Dungeons & Dragons:  Plundering the Overlord's Palace ==
  
U-Gene scowled.
+
The Overlord's Masquerade is still in full swing.  Elegant and elaborate costumed dancers - the lords and ladies of the ball - float about the Throne Room.  Some are blissfully unaware of what is happening in the Palace.  Others cast suspicious glances at the powerful figures gathered in the magnificent room.
  
It has been five long years since the Wolfshaunt was awakened by breaking the Wolfshaunt Seal in the bowels of the Forbidden LibraryWho would have thought that freeing a single werewolf could lead to a full-scale war?  At least most of the tokens of passage have been securedWhile that may stop the armies from coming over the mountains for awhile, how many other ways are there for Grandfather Josiah and Grandfather Bela to escape with their cursed families?  They are powerful, determined and immortal - a dangerous combination.  The Wolfshaunt must be sealed.
+
At the far end, Queen Jocelyne conducts an auction of royal treasures while her husband, the Overlord Theodrick XIX, huddles with advisers and palace guards in an attempt to determine what games and treachery are in playThe coffers must be refilled, and these treasures will bring a notable boost to the war effortMore troubling is the strange events unfolding in the Palace - guards slain, a portal to unknown chambers opened, a trusted adviser implicated in a bizarre theft of a chess piece.  The night is now chaos.
  
U-Gene scowled again.
+
From the shadows, the wizened woman watches.  Maria's gypsy séance helped the Reaches strangers recover Alfric's Dagger, an artifact long used to ostracize her people.  Soon, it's true nature will be revealed - vindication after almost 3000 years.  Maria smiles.  Even with her part played, she knows more adventures will unfold before the night is over.
  
The Second War of the Reaches should have ended last year.  The Orcs, Sandal, and the Tang pose no threat.  Securing the Wolfshaunt would eliminate that threat to the Eastern Reaches.  Dammit.  Why did the Old Kingdom get involved in the war?  For a million gold piece bribe?  Maybe.  But there must be another reason.  Last year's conflicts were a disaster - with the City-State of Teufeldorf under the control of the Overlord's troops.  Now, the demand has come in for the return of Teufeldorf to the Crown - five million gold.  A true king's ransom.  It will deplete the treasury, but the price might be worth it.  Or, U-Gene mused, we could mobilize the Fleet of the Reaches.  Invade Rembia.  Hit the Overlord hard enough that he will think twice before attacking the Reaches.
+
[[Matcon Puzzle|'''Matcon 39 Puzzle''']] <br>
 
 
U-Gene looked up.
 
 
 
Standing before him, Fuzzwort shifts from foot to foot, his nose buried in a large, iron-bound tome. "Have you ever heard of the Overlord's Undercroft beneath the Celestial City of Rembia?  Some say it doesn't exist.  If it does, it's one of the most guarded buildings in the Realm - its secrets protected by the Collegium Magicium.  Legend holds that the source of Overlord's power over the nobility and military - Alfric's Scepter - is guarded in that vault.  Certainty of death, small chance of success, what do you think?"
 
 
 
[[Matcon Puzzle|'''Matcon 37 Puzzle''']] <br>
 
 
[[Classic Campaign Logbook|'''Adventurer's Logbook''']] <br>
 
[[Classic Campaign Logbook|'''Adventurer's Logbook''']] <br>
 
[[Classic Campaign Characters|'''Characters''']] <br>
 
[[Classic Campaign Characters|'''Characters''']] <br>
  
 
== Other Diversions ==
 
== Other Diversions ==
While D&D has always been the focus of Matcon, a number of diversions have been created over the years.  These have been thoughtfully blended into the campaign: Witenagemot and Warmaster providing a large-scale focus on the campaigns of kingdoms and generals; MTG Menagerie providing special one-time spells for characters; and even dwarf poker providing a way for dwarves to lose their warchests to the forces of evil.  Matcon will continue to evolve over time providing new challenges from the twisted mind of CM the DM.   
+
While D&D has always been the focus of Matcon, a number of diversions have been created over the years.  These have been thoughtfully blended into the campaign: Witenagemot and Warmaster providing a large-scale focus on the campaigns of kingdoms and generals; Ranger Magic providing special one-time spells for characters; and even Dwarf Poker providing a way for dwarves to lose their warchests to the forces of evil.  Matcon will continue to evolve over time providing new challenges from the twisted mind of CM the DM.   
  
 
[[Dwarf Poker|'''Dwarf Poker''']] <br>
 
[[Dwarf Poker|'''Dwarf Poker''']] <br>
 
[[Witenagemot|'''Witenagemot''']] <br>
 
[[Witenagemot|'''Witenagemot''']] <br>
[[MTG Menagerie|'''MTG Menagerie''']] <br>
+
[[Ranger Magic|'''Ranger Magic''']] <br>
 
[[Golf|'''Golf''']] <br>
 
[[Golf|'''Golf''']] <br>
  
Line 43: Line 37:
  
 
[[Past Matcon Winners|'''Past Matcon Winners''' (1980-present)]] <br>
 
[[Past Matcon Winners|'''Past Matcon Winners''' (1980-present)]] <br>
 +
[[Matcon 36 Photos|'''Matcon 36 Photos''' (2017)]]<br>
 
[[Matcon 29 Photos|'''Matcon 29 Photos''' (2010)]] <br>
 
[[Matcon 29 Photos|'''Matcon 29 Photos''' (2010)]] <br>
 +
[[Matcon 28 Picturebook|'''Matcon 28 Picturebook''' (2009)]]<br>
 
[[Starter Dungeon|'''Starter Dungeon''' (2009)]]<br>
 
[[Starter Dungeon|'''Starter Dungeon''' (2009)]]<br>
 
[[Realm Risk|'''Realm Risk''' (2007-2010)]] <br>
 
[[Realm Risk|'''Realm Risk''' (2007-2010)]] <br>
 
[[Matcon 25 Photos|'''Matcon 25 Photos''' (2006)]] <br>
 
[[Matcon 25 Photos|'''Matcon 25 Photos''' (2006)]] <br>
 
[[Ode To A Celestial Pegasus Lost|'''Ode To A Celestial Pegasus Lost''' (2006)]]<br>
 
[[Ode To A Celestial Pegasus Lost|'''Ode To A Celestial Pegasus Lost''' (2006)]]<br>
 +
[[Celestial Pegasus|'''Celestial Pegasus''' (2005)]]<br>
 
[[Warmaster|'''Warmaster''' (2000-2005)]] <br>
 
[[Warmaster|'''Warmaster''' (2000-2005)]] <br>
 
[[Matcon 24 Photos|'''Matcon 24 Photos''' (2005)]] <br>
 
[[Matcon 24 Photos|'''Matcon 24 Photos''' (2005)]] <br>
Line 67: Line 64:
 
[[Matcon 13 Invite|'''Matcon 13 Invite''' (1994)]]<br>
 
[[Matcon 13 Invite|'''Matcon 13 Invite''' (1994)]]<br>
 
[[Champion's Chalice|'''Champion's Chalice''' (1993)]]<br>
 
[[Champion's Chalice|'''Champion's Chalice''' (1993)]]<br>
 +
[[Falstaff's Fabulous Fantasy System|'''Falstaff's Fabulous Fantasy System''' (1993)]]<br>
 +
[[Matcon 12 Photos|'''Matcon 12 Photos''' (1993)]]<br>
 
[[Matcon 12 Invite|'''Matcon 12 Invite''' (1993)]]<br>
 
[[Matcon 12 Invite|'''Matcon 12 Invite''' (1993)]]<br>
 
[[Christmas 1992 Invite|'''Christmas 1992 Invite''' (1992)]]<br>
 
[[Christmas 1992 Invite|'''Christmas 1992 Invite''' (1992)]]<br>
Line 99: Line 98:
 
[[Sound Mind, Body, and Buttplate|'''Sound Mind, Body, and Buttplate''' (1985)]]<br>
 
[[Sound Mind, Body, and Buttplate|'''Sound Mind, Body, and Buttplate''' (1985)]]<br>
 
[[Champion's Quest 1 Invite|'''Champion's Quest 1 Invite''' (1985)]] <br>
 
[[Champion's Quest 1 Invite|'''Champion's Quest 1 Invite''' (1985)]] <br>
 +
[[The Mighty Kansy|'''The Mighty Kansy''' (1985)]]<br>
 
[[The Matcon 4 Storybook|'''The Matcon 4 Storyboard''' (1985)]] <br>
 
[[The Matcon 4 Storybook|'''The Matcon 4 Storyboard''' (1985)]] <br>
 
[[Matcon 4 Invite|'''Matcon 4 Invite''' (1985)]]<br>
 
[[Matcon 4 Invite|'''Matcon 4 Invite''' (1985)]]<br>
 
[[Hylax Binds the Demons - Second Anniversary|'''Hylax Binds the Demons - Second Anniversary''' (1985)]]<br>
 
[[Hylax Binds the Demons - Second Anniversary|'''Hylax Binds the Demons - Second Anniversary''' (1985)]]<br>
 +
[[Absorption Calculation|'''Absorption Calculation''' (date unknown)]]<br>
 +
[[Vince's Vabulous Vindentification System|'''Vince's Vabulous Vindentification System''' (date unknown)]]<br>
 +
[[A System of Magical Research|'''A System of Magical Research''' (1985)]]<br>
 
[[The Draft|'''The Draft''' (1984-present)]]<br>
 
[[The Draft|'''The Draft''' (1984-present)]]<br>
 
[[The Night Before Matcon|'''The Night Before Matcon''' (1984)]]<br>
 
[[The Night Before Matcon|'''The Night Before Matcon''' (1984)]]<br>

Revision as of 16:00, 19 July 2019

Plundering the Overlord's Palace

Matcon 39
Summer 2020

The Overlord is in trouble!

The Palace is overrun by thieves stealing the treasures of the Old Kingdom. The Masquerade, once the culmination of the social calendar, has been marred by unexplained events. What twisting plots are afoot? Worse, the Kingdom generals report defeats in both the north and south as plans to entrap the Reaches forces fails miserably. The coffers are running dangerously low. And now the Elven Ambassador is preaching the coming of a new menace from the seas.

It is time for swift and sure action: a final solution to the problem of the Three Kings. Sharpen your swords and dust off your spellbooks - it's Matcon time again.

Schedule of Events
Travel, Room and Board

Dungeons & Dragons: Plundering the Overlord's Palace

The Overlord's Masquerade is still in full swing. Elegant and elaborate costumed dancers - the lords and ladies of the ball - float about the Throne Room. Some are blissfully unaware of what is happening in the Palace. Others cast suspicious glances at the powerful figures gathered in the magnificent room.

At the far end, Queen Jocelyne conducts an auction of royal treasures while her husband, the Overlord Theodrick XIX, huddles with advisers and palace guards in an attempt to determine what games and treachery are in play. The coffers must be refilled, and these treasures will bring a notable boost to the war effort. More troubling is the strange events unfolding in the Palace - guards slain, a portal to unknown chambers opened, a trusted adviser implicated in a bizarre theft of a chess piece. The night is now chaos.

From the shadows, the wizened woman watches. Maria's gypsy séance helped the Reaches strangers recover Alfric's Dagger, an artifact long used to ostracize her people. Soon, it's true nature will be revealed - vindication after almost 3000 years. Maria smiles. Even with her part played, she knows more adventures will unfold before the night is over.

Matcon 39 Puzzle
Adventurer's Logbook
Characters

Other Diversions

While D&D has always been the focus of Matcon, a number of diversions have been created over the years. These have been thoughtfully blended into the campaign: Witenagemot and Warmaster providing a large-scale focus on the campaigns of kingdoms and generals; Ranger Magic providing special one-time spells for characters; and even Dwarf Poker providing a way for dwarves to lose their warchests to the forces of evil. Matcon will continue to evolve over time providing new challenges from the twisted mind of CM the DM.

Dwarf Poker
Witenagemot
Ranger Magic
Golf

Tales of Matcons Past

Invite to the first Matcon - May 16, 1980

Matcon has been taking place since 1980. From our annual gathering many, many tales of adventures and misadventures have followed. The richness of the campaign is not just in the complexity and depth of the story, but in the interaction between characters and players. Some of those memories are presented below.

Past Matcon Winners (1980-present)
Matcon 36 Photos (2017)
Matcon 29 Photos (2010)
Matcon 28 Picturebook (2009)
Starter Dungeon (2009)
Realm Risk (2007-2010)
Matcon 25 Photos (2006)
Ode To A Celestial Pegasus Lost (2006)
Celestial Pegasus (2005)
Warmaster (2000-2005)
Matcon 24 Photos (2005)
Matcon 24 Fun (2005)
Matcon 23 Photos (2004)
Matcon 22 Photos (2003)
Matcon 22 Fun (2003)
Grim's Last Stand MTG Variant (2003)
Matcon 21 Photos (2002)
Matcon 20 Photos (2001)
Matcon 20 Cover (2001)
Acorn of Channeling (2000)
Matcon 19 Fun (2000)
Matcon 17 Fun (1998)
Clubs of DM Control (date unknown)
Matcon 15 Fun (1996)
The Pool (1995)
Four Brothers Invite (1994)
Matcon 13 Invite (1994)
Champion's Chalice (1993)
Falstaff's Fabulous Fantasy System (1993)
Matcon 12 Photos (1993)
Matcon 12 Invite (1993)
Christmas 1992 Invite (1992)
Matcon 11 Victor (1992)
Matcon 11 Invite (1992)
Is U-Gene More Massive Than Ernie? (1991)
Matcon 10 Invite (1991)
Adventurer's Ale (1991)
The World's End Pub (date unknown)
The Willows (1991)
Matcon 9 Victor (1990)
Matcon 9 Invite (1990)
Why You Don't Do A Draft Via Mail (1990)
A Yuletide Tale (1989)
Why You Always Break the Code (1989)
An Audacious Wager (1989)
Matcon 8 Victor (1989)
Matcon 8 Invite (1989)
Falstaff Has A Bad Dream (1988)
Matcon 7 Wrapup (1988)
Matcon 7 Invite (1988)
Famous Quotes (1988)
Matcon 6 Victor (1987)
Matcon 6 Invite (1987)
Rock-Dwelling Predators (1987)
Champion's Quest 1 Results (1986)
Matcon 5 Invite (1986)
Hylax Sheds Many Tears (1986)
Falstaff Is Dead (1986)
Introduction to Fuzzwort the Cleric (1986)
Journey to Lost Pine Woods (1986)
Sound Mind, Body, and Buttplate (1985)
Champion's Quest 1 Invite (1985)
The Mighty Kansy (1985)
The Matcon 4 Storyboard (1985)
Matcon 4 Invite (1985)
Hylax Binds the Demons - Second Anniversary (1985)
Absorption Calculation (date unknown)
Vince's Vabulous Vindentification System (date unknown)
A System of Magical Research (1985)
The Draft (1984-present)
The Night Before Matcon (1984)
Matcon 3 Fun (1984)
Matcon 3 Invite (1984)
Hylax the Storyteller (date unknown)
The Ballad of Hylax (Our Journey to Mt. Todd) (1983)
Zephaniah's Tour Guide to Hell (1983)
An Introduction to the New Party (1982)
The Misadventures of CM the DM (Part 3) (1981)
Parties of the Third Age (1981)
Matcon 1 Results (1980)
Matcon 1 Invite (1980)
How It All Got Started (1980)
The Life of Brian (1979)
Who Came First, Arthur Bucheroni or Sir Brian du Bois (1979)